Catholic Dictionary
Find accurate definitions of over 5,000 Catholic terms and phrases (including abbreviations). Based on Fr. John Hardon's Modern Catholic Dictionary, © Eternal Life. Used with permission.
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SALEM
A city ruled by King Melchizedek. When Abraham returned from a victorious battle against the King of Elam, Melchizedek, who was a priest as well as a king, gave his blessing to Abraham. In turn, Abraham offered tithes to the priest (Genesis 14:17-20). In this brief incident the Church finds a symbolic relationship between Melchizedek, the priest-king, and Christ, the priest-king of the New Testament.
